Dale Earnhardt Jr. made it clear on Monday that the tumultuous relationship with his stepmother would be a factor in negotiations to return to the Nextel Cup organization his father built after the 2007 season. He also made it clear he wants to return. Ownership appears to be the biggest stumbling block. “That’s the obvious,” [...]

WAS THE FASTEST IN THE MORNING PRACTICE SESSION: “The DLP car seemed to drive pretty well. The second car, the one that’s fastest, seemed to drive a little bit better than the other car, obviously. We’d like to get both cars to run the same speed. That’s kind of the goal of the test here. [...]

Richard Petty:
“The entire Petty family and organization is saddened by the passing of Bobby Hamilton. Bobby was not only a huge part of the racing family, but of the Petty family as well. He will always be a part of our family. He had a heart of a champion and that affected everyone around him. [...]

Monday morning single car speeds:
Pos., No., Driver, Time, Speed
1. 96 Tony Raines 48.920 183.974
2. 48 Jimmie Johnson 48.948 183.869
3. 22 Dave Blaney 48.978 183.756
4. 26 Jamie McMurray 48.992 183.703
5. 20 Mike [...]

Dale Earnhardt Jr. likely isn’t going anywhere. Negotiations to re-sign the signature driver of Dale Earnhardt Inc. are on the fast track and likely will be finalized by May if not sooner, DEI director of motorsports Richie Gilmore said on Monday.
“Before we come back here in February [for the Daytona 500] would be my wish [...]

Ricky Rudd, driver of the No. 88 Snickers Ford Fusion, returned to Daytona International Speedway as a full-time driver this morning as the first day of testing for next month’s Daytona 500 began. Rudd, who served as a mid-race fill-in driver for Tony Stewart at Dover last season, signed with Robert Yates Racing just before [...]

Boris Said, driver of the No. 60 Sobe No Fear Ford Fusion, is once again planning on running a limited schedule in 2007. He was part of the first day of testing for February’s Daytona 500 and spoke during the lunch break about his hopes in the season ahead.

Jimmie Johnson comments on his wrist going into Daytona testing, the ‘Golf Cart Incident’ and Bobby Hamilton:
THE BURNING QUESTION IS HOW IS YOUR WRIST DOING AND HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
“My wrist is good. I’m going to wear a splint in the car just to be
smart and to be sure, but the cast is off and [...]

Officials with Scottish Rite Masons, part of the Freemasons, announced that the organization will sponsor Frank Cicci Racing’s No. 34 Busch Series Chevrolet and driver Brian Conz, a Scottish Rite Mason.

Defending NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson says that his injured wrist is completely healed and should not hamper his efforts at Daytona International Speedway.